https://youtu.be/bFRw0JRVTIA

Mistaken Identity

Acts 16:11-15 - Therefore,

sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the

next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there

to Philippi, which is the [a]foremost city of that part

of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some

days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the

riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the

women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia

heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira,

who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by

Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she

begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,

come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us

Paul, Silas and Luke are led

by the Spirit to Philippi

They stayed there a few days

and on Sunday, they went to find a church to go into

There was no church but

there was a meeting place where they found women who meet there

One of the Woman they met

was names Lydia. She listened to them and was baptized as well as her household.

She was very grateful that she asked them to stay at her home

Where

can I find ten men?

. Vs 13 – They went to a

place “where

prayer was customarily made” (in a way which follows

customs or usual practices)

. They only found women, and

if any men were there, it doesn’t seem like they were involved

. There wasn’t a synagogue

in the area because, they couldn’t get 10 male lead families to start a church

. We have a city that is

very prosperous, one of the most traded cities, yet there is no focus of God

. “Success is not an

indication that you are in God’s will”

. I named this message, “mistaken

identity” because most of the time we identify something, somewhere, or someone

in a certain way but you end up getting closer, to see that they are totally a

different person, place or thing

. Hence people have fences,

we want people at arm length, because when they come close, we can smell the

stench that’s coming from their hidden sin

. From far this city is a

desirable place. Color purple sold here was a sign of loyalty, yet Paul and the

crew had to go find a place to offer up their prayers

. Where can I find 10 men?

Men who are willing to break free of trying to display a certain image on Facebook,

twitter, church, Homes, work place ..name it?

. The interesting thing is Synagogues

were a place of worship and teaching the word of God. The place was going to

help the community; it wasn’t about just these required families

. We tell our girls, everything you do has an effect on everyone else…not just you.

. Our work for God is not just

for us. We are just a conduit to further His kingdom, but until you ignore the

shiny things around up. Stop chasing things that Solomon calls Vanity or

Vanity…a generation will be lost in our account.

. Where can I find ten Men?

To lead their wives and Children to God. Where can I find 10 men and women who

are willing to change a community – Push the enemy lines back?